| Cygnet Rowing Club |
| Club Facilities |
The boathouse was built in the 1930's, and has been updated over time. The boat shed is on the top floor, allowing easy access onto the boating area, with all the club facilities underneath.
As well as Cygnet, there is another club who live at the boathouse, Barnes Bridge Ladies RC. Although nominally a female club there is actually one member who sports a very realistic looking penis. See if you can spot her when you come down.
There is a large boating area immediately to the front of the boathouse, and at low tide we actually have our own beach! We can boat two eights at high tide, and as many boats as you want at low tide.
The boathouse (front elevation)...
There is ample parking on Dukes Meadows and there is a secure bar attached to the side of the boathouse for locking bikes.
One of the treasures of our boathouse is the garden. It is virtually hidden from view on all sides and is a fantastic spot for a bit of after outing canoodling and the scene of many impromptu barbecues.
A charming and secluded riverside garden...
Barbecues, picnics, croquet and Pimms ...
Inside the boathouse, as well as large changing rooms with all the obvious facilities such as showers, toilets and lockers, we have a fully fitted kitchen that is often put to good use. Free tea and coffee is always available.
There is also a club room with sofa beds (for keen people who want to have early morning outings) and a TV.
The club room - for meeting, chatting and more...
Most importantly there's the bar. This has recently been refurbished and it is fair to say that it does get heavy usage. Our most recent acquisition is a magnificent "Giraffe". This is proving very popular.
The bar - for meeting, drinking and more...
The Giraffe - Cygnet's six pint USP...
The training Shed was purpose built in 2004 and has 80 square metres of space to train in. It has enabled us to improve our fitness and therefore competitiveness. In the season just finished the clubs won over 40 events.
The Shed contains 8 Concept2 ergos as well as a variety of weight machines and free weights. Club members have unlimited use of the land training facilities as part of their membership fee.
The SHED - "I sense much fear in you"...
Lots of racking for singles...
Club ergo nights are hugely popular...
Sometimes there may be a small weight...
We are fortunate to share our boathouse with Barnes Bridge Ladies RC, one of only two ladies rowing clubs in the country (it's no coincidence that we own a bungalow in Weybridge right next to the other one). More than a few Cygnets have found their wives & girlfriends from amongst its royal blue & white ranks.
Barnes Bridge Ladies circa 2004...
The Ute (Southern Hemisphere pickup) is used to tow our boats to and from away regattas. She is also available for hire to members for a small daily fee.
Anyone who has an appropriate license can use the Ute, and if they want to can also help tow our trailer to away events. Although not in the first flush of youth, she is loved by all who ride in her.
The Ute - gets our boats to regattas and can be hired by members...
The club also owns a bungalow on Hamhaugh Island, Shepperton which is used in the spring and autumn for week-long training camps. It's in a lovely spot surrounded by calm & sheltered water and is a popular place for sculling, chatting, eating and drinking.
Learning to scull at the bungalow...
Training weekends are always well attended...